Families with children under age six in Manitoba receiving employment and income assistance (EIA) will receive the full federal Universal Child Care Benefit and their income assistance levels will not be affected, Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

"The incomes and the quality of life for low-income Manitobans who are participating in the EIA program will not be affected," said Melnick. "We are committed to helping people achieve their full potential and providing children with the right start in life."

The province's pass-through of this new benefit will help more than 10,000 young children, with the total amount available for these low-income families expected to exceed $10 million per year. For example, a family receiving income assistance with three children under the age of six will have $3,600 more in income each year to help raise their children.

The Manitoba government also fully restored the National Child Benefit Supplement, ending the clawback of this benefit from families participating in income assistance. This resulted in $13.7 million more per year in disposable income for these families.

Since 1999, the province has increased the benefits available to income assistance participants by raising rates, introducing a new Northern Energy Cost Benefit for people living in northern and remote regions, increasing mileage rates and improving basic allowances. Other enhancements include improved work incentives, increases to the school supplies allowance, and exemption of compensation payments for abuse at residential schools, Registered Education Savings Plans and certain lump-sum payments for persons with disabilities to help improve their quality of life.

Employment and income assistance is a provincial program of last resort for people who need help to meet basic personal and family needs. Wherever possible, the program assists people to find a job or return to work. Eligibility is determined by a needs test, where the financial resources of the household are compared to the cost of basic
necessities.

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